Day Two, Monday

Monday, November 22, 2010; A long day.  The hardest part is having your heart go out to two seriously injured family members separated by 245 miles. 

Kassi stayed in Cedar City where she underwent surgery for a broken femur. She now sports some fancy new hardware.  The surgeon had hoped to use a block for the surgery to minimize the impact on the pneumothorax.  Unfortunately the pre-op blood work would not allow it.  She had an open reduction internal fixation of the femur.  She seems to have tolerated the surgery well and is eager to be with Brandon. 

Today also brought mom and daughter together.  Thanks to family members, Kim arrived in Cedar City and was able to be with Kassi when she got out of surgery.  Chad and Becky have been kind enough to open their home in Cedar,provide cell phones and endless support.  Family and friends continue to check on Kassi.  Cedar City has learned what it means to have a Kuhlmann - Carlson held captive by their medical condition.  The love and support continues to pour in from throughout the state with friends and family north and south offering homes, vehicles and any other support they can offer.

Kassi's interaction with the billing clerk in Cedar City was far from professional.  Fresh out of surgery, the clerk noticed this was an auto accident and DEMANDED the vehicle insurance information - NOW! Kassi was in tears.  Leanne had to crawl through the car to find what information she could and has been working with the company to verify the policy was active and coverages. Kassi had no idea who held the policy, and as we all know, contrary to our wishes, Brandon the one with all the information is not talking. 

Branson has been spoiled by his family in Cedar.  He was excited to see his Grandma Kim and now has both Grandmas wrapped around his little finger.  He seems to have tolerated his wild ride quite well.

Megan is waiting her appointment with the orthopedic surgeon to find out the final outcome on her injuries.  She is concerned about Kassi and Brandon and wants to be with Brandon. She has a new appreciation for seat belts and properly used pain meds.

Brandon continues to provide all of us with his own version of wait and see.  His Life Flight ride was exciting.  It was a slow start as he waited to get out of Cedar City due to a cold front and limited deicing capabilities at the airport.  The flight was uneventful other than a few brief moments of turbulence.

He was met by the trauma team, had repeat CT scans, sedated more and placed under the care of the very competent staff in the Shock Trauma ICU. This roller coaster ride is one of the toughest around. 

He was admitted with a coma score of 5.  He has shown some minor improvements, followed by slight relapse.  He is able to localize pain, but is unable to speak or open his eyes.  The staff continues to play junior chemist in an attempt to find the right mix of meds to keep kidney's functioning, ICP (cranial pressures) low, and Brandon non-combative. 

He is given several sedation vacations throughout the day, with much of the same results; localizes pain, does not follow commands, does not open eyes.  Both dads are very attentive to his every need and wait for ANY sign of change.

The STICU staff are also learning what happens when a Kuhlmann - Carlson is being held captive by their medical condition.  There continues to be Standing Room Only as friends and family gather around.  Several learned that the floor of the waiting room is not an overly comfortable place to make a bed.  No one will budge even though Kelsy literally lives at the end of the parking lot and you can see her apartment from Brandon's room. 

We are hopeful that Kassi's condition and the weather will allow her to be with Brandon as soon as she is able.  Gathering all the family members to one location will help many aspects of everyone's healing process.  Brandon, Kassi and the rest of the family continue to appreciate ALL your thoughts and prayers in their family's behalf.  With the best care in the world being provided, our job is to continue to ask for the help and miracles needed when our earthly efforts fall short.